Detroit's Kevin McGonigle and Cincinnati's Sal Stewart win MLB's Rookie of the Year awards
Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers has won the American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award and Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds the National League award, in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced on Monday night. McGonigle took 28 of 30 first-place votes and 204 points; Stewart took 20 first-place votes and 170 points. Each player's club receives an extra selection in the 2027 draft, after the first round, under the league's Prospect Promotion Incentive.
Verified
Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers won the 2026 American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year with 28 of 30 first-place votes and 204 points, ahead of Cleveland's Parker Messick (122 points) and Boston's Payton Tolle (54). It is the sixth time a Tigers player has won the award, and the first since Michael Fulmer in 2016. McGonigle split his season almost equally between shortstop and third base and, with Messick, was the only player named on every ballot. Ballots were submitted before the postseason.
Key points
- McGonigle (AL): 28 of 30 first-place votes, 204 points — Detroit's sixth winner, first since 2016.
- Stewart (NL): 20 first-place votes, 170 points, ahead of Benge and Wetherholt.
- Both clubs gain an extra 2027 draft pick after the first round under the Prospect Promotion Incentive.
What happened
The Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year awards open the BBWAA's awards week. Voting is by two writers from each league city, on ballots cast before the postseason, so playoff performance plays no part.
§
Match facts — all verified
- ✓ VerifiedKevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers won the 2026 American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year with 28 of 30 first-place votes and 204 points, ahead of Cleveland's Parker Messick (122 points) and Boston's Payton Tolle (54). It is the sixth time a Tigers player has won the award, and the first since Michael Fulmer in 2016. McGonigle split his season almost equally between shortstop and third base and, with Messick, was the only player named on every ballot. Ballots were submitted before the postseason.BBWAA — Tigers' infielder Kevin McGonigle wins AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year (9 Nov 2026) · Reuters — Tigers' Kevin McGonigle, Reds' Sal Stewart win MLB Rookie of the Year awards (10 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedSal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds won the National League award with 20 of 30 first-place votes and 170 points, finishing well ahead of New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman J.J. Wetherholt. Under the league's Prospect Promotion Incentive, the Tigers and Reds each receive an additional selection in the 2027 MLB draft, added after the first round.Reuters — Tigers' Kevin McGonigle, Reds' Sal Stewart win MLB Rookie of the Year awards (10 Nov 2026)
What we know / what we don't know yet
What we know
- Both winners and the full AL voting, from the BBWAA's own release, with Reuters in agreement on the NL result.
What we don't know yet
- The remaining BBWAA awards — Manager, Cy Young and MVP winners are announced later this week.